Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

923 N. State Street, Suite 170, Fairmont, MN  56031

(507)- 235-6680


Minutes of the November 13, 2008 Regular Board Meeting

 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota

 

Meeting called to order by Chair Roberts at 9:00 a.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:         Darwin Roberts – Chair, Duane Petrowiak – Vice Chair, Steve Flohrs, Linda Meschke, Wendell Rode

Members absent:          None

Others present:             Kathy Smith - District Manager; Carissa Spencer, District Conservationist, Cathy Thiesse, Technician and Administrative Assistant, Greg Johanson, Farm Bill Specialist, and Tim Peterson, Clean Water Partnership.

 

Additions to the Agenda

New Business:              State Convention

                                    Area VI Meeting, November 18, 2008

                                    WCA

Delete off Agenda:        CWP – Rain Garden Cost-Share under New Business

A motion was made by Rode to accept the additions and changes as stated above second by Meschke.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Meschke to accept the October 9, 2008 Secretary’s Report second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Report submitted by Smith.  A motion was made by Rode to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated 10-31-08 second by Petrowiak.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

Bills

Additional Bills for approval:

DNR                $ 34.95

Shipping Plus    $ 19.75

Kathy Smith     $ 84.03

                        $138.73

A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve paying the bills second by Flohrs.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

CREP

Update given by Johanson that everyone has been paid in the CREP II.  125 site reviews have been conducted over the summer and most of the sites looked good.  Smith reported that BWSR will allot $2,000.00 per easement for the RIM/WRP and that the District has been approved for 4 ($8,000.00 to be paid to the District).  A motion was made by Meschke to approve the Board signing the contract second by Rode. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.      

 

Cost-Share Programs–

State Cost-Share Program

Completed Projects

#12-07  Robert Toland   FSSB     $2956.98  Due – 75% of Project Cost - FY 2007

Total Project Cost:  $3942.64

Slippage:  $635.02

A motion was made by Meschke to approve payment of contract #12-07 in the amount of $2956.98 and return $635.02 in Slippage back to the State second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

#15-08-1  William Phelps  Well Sealing    $1780.00 Due – 50% of Project Cost

Total Project Cost:  $3560.00

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve payment of contract #15-08-01 in the amount of $1780.00 with Amendment approved at the October 9, 2008 Board Meeting second by Petrowiak.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

Amended Projects

None

 

New Projects

None

 

Cancelled Projects

None

 

CWP Program

New Program

None

 

Amendment

None

 

Completed Project

None

 

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Completed Projects

Amendment

None

 

New Projects

None

 

Water Permit Program

No Report.

 

AgBMP Loan Program

No Report. 

 

Old Business

Lease and Moving

Update given by Smith that the architect will supply the final drawing to Washington once FSA/NRCS/SWCD determines where computer, outlets, etc. should be installed.  Once Washington approves the project there is an estimated time period for construction to take 6-8 weeks.  Smith received verbal agreement from John McDonald, Sentence-to-Serve, that they will help with the move.  FSA and NRCS will hire Fitzgerald Moving Co.  The Board approved for Smith to proceed with purchasing a desk and Meschke recommended that a $500.00 cap be set on this purchase.  Discussion followed on obtaining furniture for the Conference Room. 

 

3M Presentation

Event will be rescheduled.

 

New Business

2008 4-H Recognition

Steve and Connie Flohrs will attend.

 

2009 Martin County WCA & Water Plan Service Agreements

Smith informed the Board that the Annual Service Agreement with Martin County will be on the December 2, 2008 Martin County Commissioners Agenda.  The District has not received the final dollar amount for the NRBG grant and Smith is working with BWSR to obtain these figures before presenting to the Martin County Board.  A motion was made by Rode to approve this Agreement upon receiving notification from BWSR prior to the County Commissioner Meeting second by Meschke.  Discussion followed that if there is a big discrepancy from the budgeted amount and the Actual Amount allotted for the NRBG a conference call between the Supervisors will take place prior to the Martin County Commissioner meeting taking place.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

WCA

Smith presented that the State is asking for County to appoint a SWCD staff as Authority for WCA.  Discussion followed regarding having all the cities re-sign a new approval.  Smith will work with BWSR for protocol to follow. 

 

State Convention

Smith reported registrations have been submitted.

 

Area VI Meeting

The November 18, 2008 meeting to be at the MN National Guard Armory, Mankato.  Those attending the meeting are:  Petrowiak, Rode, Roberts, and Thiesse.  Petrowiak discussed not running for Area VI Secretary/Treasurer at the end of this term.  Thiesse talked about presenting the 2009 Poster/Mural/Video Contest at the meeting as she is coordinating this contest for Area VI.  Discussion followed on possible prospects for Contest Sponsors.  Thiesse will follow up with AgStar, CHS, and Cargill.

 

Break

 

Reports

Special Meetings

  • Meschke attended a meeting regarding the Constitution Amendment, Fairmont, MN.
  • Meschke met with Rep. Bob Gunther regarding proposing a law to Cap the Number of Impaired [TMDL] Waters in Minnesota. 
  • Flohrs will attend Leadership Training, Morton, MN  November 20-21, 2008
  • Roberts will attend a GBERBA meeting, Mankato, MN, November 14, 2008

 

Martin County Commissioner Report

No Report  

 

District Conservationist Report

Report given by Spencer – see attached.  A Local Work Group Meeting has been set for November 24, 2008 but may be rescheduled due to an NRCS audit.  Spencer commended Brenda Tonn for her efforts in completing Wetland Determinations during her leave.

 

District Manager Report

  • Report given by Kathy Smith – see attached.

 

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Smith reported that the next Water Plan Advisory Meeting will be December 18, 2008.  Site TBD. 

 

Water Plan/WCA Report

Smith discussed that WCA is no longer going by the FSA Rules.  BWSR is working with NRCS and Army Corps.  The Board would like to see these issued addressed at the State Convention in break out groups.  Other items discussed:

  • How many entities to be involved?
  • Smith will contact BWSR regarding a Form for WCA Signatures.
  • Amount received from BWSR is based upon activity in each District.
  • Workloads will need to be prioritized and more staff added.
  • WCA on Area VI Agenda to create continuity.
  • Post information on Website.

Roberts commended Perrine’s radio interview regarding this issue on November 12, 2008.  He would like to see this issue discussed at the Corn/Soybean Meeting in March 2009.

 

Clean Water Partnership Report

Report given by Peterson.

 

Rain Garden

Completed Projects – Clean Water Partnership Program Funds 

#RG 01-08  Dave Christianson  Rain Garden  $739.38 Due  - 75% of Project Cost

Total Project Cost:  $985.84

Slippage:  $10.62

A motion was made by Flohrs to pay $739.38 for contract #RG 01-08 second by Rode and to re-encumber the $10.62.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

CWP Program

Amendment

#CWP 59-10  Dick Mair  Alternative Easement  $4481.23 Requested

Total Project Cost:  $35,338.23

A motion was made by Petrowiak to encumber an additional $4481.23 for contract #CWP 59-10 to bring the total amount up to 75% Cost-Share second by Meschke.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

Completed Projects

#CWP 59-10  Dick Mair  Alternative Easement  $26,503.67 - 75% of Project Cost

Total Project Cost:  $35,338.23

A motion was made by Meschke to pay $26,503.67 for contract #CWP 59-10 at 75% of Project Cost second by Petrowiak.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs.

 

Peterson reported sending Ecology Grant letters to Martin County Schools.  The Board recommended including CER, Home School Programs, and 4-H Programs to be included in this mailing.  The Work Plan has been revised and sent to Scott MacLean to include Lakeshore Stabilization, Rain Gardens, and Digitizing Ditches.  The Board would like a Rain Garden presentation arranged for Heritage Acres.

 

Zone 10 Report

No Report.  

 

Three Rivers RC&D

Report given by Rode. 

 

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Smith reported that the CWL Application Form has been submitted for 2009 money to be appropriated for Tech Meetings.

 

The next regular meeting will be held on December 11, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

____________________Date Approved        ____________________Secretary-Treasurer

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